The setup

The decision to go to Africa was a long process that involved prayer, talking to a lot of people, lots of applications/paperwork/emails, prayer, more paperwork/emails, hiccups, more prayer - and finally decision time. 

Most of the decision traces itself back to working under my mentor Dr. John Umhau two summers ago in DC.  He was the initial person to tell me about the MAP International Fellowship that pays for airfare for fourth year medical students to do a minimum of 8 weeks of clerkships under a Christian physician overseas.  Dr. Umhau is a strong Christian who did MAP in Africa when he was in medical school and recommended me applying.  I was a bit apprehensive because my last overseas medical mission to India (with a secular program) was extremely exhausting and spiritually the opposite of encouraging.  However, because of his praise for the program I went ahead and applied - only to find out that my interviewer was Dr. Steve Roskos who I knew from my church and from faculty at my school.  He again had positive recommendations and a strong testimony to its role in his own life.  So I began moving forward in earnest with plans.

The doctor and his wife, whom MAP had gotten me in touch originally (the Meyers - serving with World Ventures), were enthusiastic about my coming.  However, after the joyful surprise of discovering they were pregnant and due at the same time as my stay, regretfully decided to deliver in the US.  Fortunately, another American doctor Dr. Peter Millard was able to step in as preceptor for my coursework there.  The plan is still to stay with the Meyers' parents Claude and Marilyn Meyers who are now retired missionaries from OMS working with a school in educational administrational roles.

Here's an overview of the whats-its: (or you can scroll to the bottom to upload my prayer request and overview pdf)

Where I’ll be working: Beira is the second most populous city in Mozambique with a population of approximately 450,000. Beira serves as the major port along a shipping corridor to inland African countries which contributes to its high HIV prevalence (40% seropositive).

            Clinic stats: 1) ~25,000 patient consults per month

2) common diagnoses: hypertension, URI, malaria, HIV, pioderma, gastroenteritis, parasitosis, micose, pneumona, abscess, fever, cough, pain, etc

3) focused research on HIV prevention

What I’ll be doing: I am doing two international rotations in infectious disease and family medicine in Beira, Mozambique at a Catholic Hospital and medical school.  My time will be spent between a hospital clinic called St. Lucas, an orphanage on the edge of the city, and possibly rural clinics in the northern part of the country.

Please join me in prayer!
1. Mission: that the Gospel would be shared through the medical work with patients and amongst the staff
2. Work: for the patients that they would heal quickly, have openness to hear our message, and for staff to work together well
3. Health and safety: working around a higher prevalence of infectious diseases and foodborne illnesses that the staff (including myself) would keep in good health
4. For me: That communication in Portuguese would develop quickly, that medical skills would grow quickly, and that I would grow in grace and faith as I serve and share the story of Jesus.